Wordless Wednesday

In this little girls two and a half years of life. She has managed to prove that toys are just not her thing. Here you can see a perfect example of what she would rather be doing with them. I will go ahead and say what exactly we are all thinking...WoWee she's a cutie!

Boy I'm sure glad I changed my mind...

I just got home a few hours ago from our annual Westwood Women's Retreat which was held in Jacksonville, Florida. And, before I share how absolutely refreshing it was, I must tell you that I didn't even want to go. So much has gone on in my life since last years retreat and I just thought that I could sit this one out. You see I had reasons why I didn't want to go and felt that they were good enough...Not So Much! In the four years that my family has attended Westwood we have been blessed with friends who love us so much and have invested their time, prayers and encouragement in some of the toughest times in our lives. You see these sweet friends of mine knew that if I followed through with my decision to sit this one out,I was going to miss out on what the Lord wanted for me to hear. Oh my Goodness were they Right! Yes. In our sessions we learned how to begin to Love Well. This is something that I don't do Well at all. Heavenly Father, you are so intentional. Not only did I hear from you, but many of the women who are struggling with testy relationships in their own lives did as well. Thank you so much for this body of women who hunger and thirst for your righteousness. I am truly refreshed,encouraged, and desiring Your insight in relationships that I don't love well in. As I embark on this journey to love with Your love. Transform me so that my life may bring you Glory. I love YOU, Jesus.

Wordless Wednesday

Okay so this is just one of Jakob's drawings that he has just thought up lately. He is very good at putting his creative ideas on paper. LOVE this kid!

A four year old, a two year old, and a newborn...need I say more!

Okay my friends I've got ALL the kids down at once which is a rareity around here. From taking Jakob & Aaliyah out of preschool to getting Jonah on a schedule its been a bit hectic around here. Sitting down to blog has very difficult for me to fit in this last month. But here I am. I don't know when I'll be back to be quite honest so here are some random pics of the kids..

Little Jonah hanging out in his swing!

I had laid him down on Jakob's towel and Jakob thought that was pretty cool.

See just enough time to post two pics and back to work! I'll be be back....Sun:)

Jakob & Jonah great friends already!

Jakob has been anticipating the arrival of his baby brother Jonah. He is very curious and has LOTS of questions for us about him. Since we've had Jonah home, Jakob has been wonderful with him. He even helped me give him a bath last night (look for those pics in the near fututre). Here are some shots of the two of them getting to know one another.

Fun times with Daddy!

So Johnny has been able to be home with us for two weeks and boy has he and Jakob took advantage of this. Instead of naptime, Johnny has been taking Jakob out to learn how to ride his skateboard. I snapped these pics of them as they were coming in from their intense lesson. Jakob learned how to balance on the board! He was ecstatic! Man these boys ROCK!

Loving life, loving family

Here are some photos since the hospital. We are doing well. Three is a whole different ballgame and with little to no sleep at times this seems almost impossible. But oh to know the one who is the calmer of the storm! The lord has blessed us with some pretty sweet momments with the kids and i just praise Him for this blessing of Jonah. Enjoy the pics!

Jonah Nicholas Pride is Here!!

He was born at 2:57 p.m. He weighs 8 pounds and 12 ounces. He is 20 1/2 inches long and we are both doing great! Look how cute this little munchkin is - He is going to meet his brother and sister in a little bit. When Jakob saw his picture (via text), he said, "Oh, cute baby!!!" He can't wait to meet him.
Here is one funny story...
After he was born, Johnnie watched the Ped. nurse cleaning him and is convinced that she somehow cut him with his blanket. He has little cuts on his body and very long fingernails. But, I'm sure that is just a coincidence and the nurse was a sadist :)
We are hoping to go home tomorrow and get settled in as a family of 5.

Having a Baby!!

Well, I am officially in labor. I just got an epidural about 30 minutes ago so I am feeling much better now. Right now, I am at 7 centimeters dialated (maybe more info than you want). As I am in labor having contractions, my husband is playing his Nintendo DS (Guitar Hero). Don't worry, I told him it was o.k. to play. Once it is time to get this baby out, say bye bye to the video games. Right now, I am also listening to my MIL singing along with the GH songs. My mom has a camera in her hands and is ready at a moments notice.
In case you are wondering, getting an epidural was a whole story in itself. The temperature was 110 degrees, the blood pressure cuff was expanding and I was having a contraction at the same time as a needle was being inserted into my spine. Does that sound like fun? It was all worth it, though. I am feeling good now and I'm in good spirits.

Just some fun at the beach!

Johnny and Jakob just checking out the sea and shells. I love these two!

Jakob & Aaliyah playing in the cool hole Daddy dug for them!

It was so seriousely HOT! Although the heat didn't seem to bother these three:)

Even though it was time for bed, Jakob & Aaliyah felt the need to try out their super cool shades!

I'm really not sure what look he was going for but boy is he cute no matter what!

The kids and I posing for a pic. We were headed down to the pool for some fun!

A Generous Friend....

My friendship has grown so much over the last year with Abby and it has been an absolute delight to call her not only a Sister in Christ but a great friend. I have an absolute blast with her. Whether we are goofing off,which we often do or just hanging out sharing about life, our time spent together is dear to me. One thing that is absolutely undeniable is her generous heart.
Which brings me to my reason for this blog. Johnny and I have been in the deciding process of who will share a room with Jakob, Jonah or Aaliyah?! After a very long deliberation we finally decide to put the boys together. Here's where my sweet friend saw the opportunity and took it. We talked about a theme for the boys and a more functional room decor for them and us. We set a date and Abby and her three kids (Sweet, very well-mannered, helpful kids) show up and Abby gets to work. Jakob & Jonah's room looks great! Thank you, thank you, thank you, my sweet friend. Your heart is SO big. And the example you lead of service is one to live by. I love you! Sun

Happy Fourth to YOU!

I hope you and your family had a great time this Fourth of July! We sure did. It worked out that Johnny was not scheduled to work this weekend (YAY!) and the kids and I were very pleased to have him home with us for the weekend. Unfortunately, I didn't take very many pics from our stay at the Daly's but we had a blast. The Daly's were gracious enough to have us over to grill, swim, play games and just plane hang... LOVE IT! Thinking that we were the only one's invited in walks one sweet friend Kelly and her precious little girl Lucy. The weather was great and we look forward to spending more time with these great couples. As the evening drew near Johnny and I decided to drive over to Winter Garden for the Fire works. I don't know what we were even thinking. Jakob still at age four does NOT care for the loud noise of the fireworks and Aaliyah was DONE! So instead of sticking it out we all were pretty exhausted and headed home for a more quite view of the Celebration on our TV! Thank you to ALL over our men and women who serve overseas! May God Bless You All!

I was tagged by my friend Cassie over at homeschooling Four to do this fun little tag. Here it goes!

1. Where is your cell phone? I'm not sure
2. Your significant other? work
3. Your hair? dark brown with some gray highlights...UGH!
4. Your mother? Gentle
5. Your father? Good Ol' Country Boy
6. Your favorite thing? getting my kids up from their naps they always want to cuddle.
7. Your dream last night? Can't remember their always random though
8 Your favorite drink? Diet Coke
9. Your dream/goal? Wow, maybe I'll blog this one
10. The room you’re in? Living room
11. Your hobby? Right now, pregnancy
12. Your fear? Snakes
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? anywhere but my inlaws backyard
14. What you’re not? quiet
15. Muffins? banana nut
16. One of your wish list items? ???
17. Where you grew up? Florida
18. The last thing you did? Put my oldest to bed
19. What are you wearing? pajamas
20. Favorite Gadget? computer
21. Your pets? I can't keep them
22. Your computer? dell
23. Your mood? tired
24. Missing someone? Yes
25. Your car? Dodge
26. Something you’re not wearing? bra
27. Favorite store? Target
28. Like someone? Yes
29. Your favorite color? Green
30. When is the last time you laughed? Today
31. Last time you cried? today

There you have it. I now tag Brandi, Abby, Jen

School Days....

Not to long ago Johnny and I were taking our oldest to his first day of preschool and now a year later our babygirl had her first day herself. I was only able to snap this one pic but oh what a sweet one it is. The school was packed and now adding another child to our family mix makes everything move a lot quicker. The kids and I were so happy that Johnny was able to share in the moment. Although, he worked last night he made it a point to take his big brand new four year old boy and sweet little Aaliyah to school today. Jakob was ready so ready that as we walked him in the room it seemed as though we just disappeared no hugs, no by mommy and daddy your my favorite people in the whole world nothing. Ugh! He's so BIG! Aaliyah on the other hand new something was up and she was not at all happy about it. As we Pride's do, she voiced her disapproval for what was going on by clinging to me and screaming her Daddy's name. Leaving them was difficult today but as Johnny and I left I was able to quickly realize how good this was for not only them but for us.

Room Time

Okay, so I wasn't good with being consistent in daily "room time" with Jakob when he was younger and now we have a little boy who can barely stay in his room during this time (door always open). He can only take about 20 minutes before he needs to show me everything that he's doing and thinks of just about every excuse to come out of his room. Does this ring true for anyone else? Now on the other hand there's Aaliyah. From the time we found out that we were pregnant with her we decided to update or should I say improve our parenting quite a bit. That's a entire blog itself. So in that decision making "room time" was one thing that we wanted to do a better job at implementing into our children's day. Now to Aaliyah, remember what I said above about Jakob okay well this little girl is quite the opposite. She tells me bye, bye, Mommy as I close the door, and will stay in their sometimes falling asleep for at LEAST an hour. Can we say night and day....Absolutely! Well all of that explanation of "room time" is to share with you Aaliyah's agenda while she was there today. You see Johnny and I are headed out in the morning to St. Petersburg Beach, Fl. for a short vaca celebrating four years of marriage. So I was very busy today packing for the kids to go to Aunt Jenny's house and all that goes with that. I had her in there just at an hour and never heard a peep. As I walked in this is what I was greeted with "Hi Mommy" Awww, Room time, you gotta love it!

Good to be back

My goodness it has been awhile since I have blogged. And oh have I needed too. Let me just catch you up on life since my last post was Christmas 07'. Johnny is still working as a Paramedic and he is really enjoying his job, the hours, and the partner that he has been placed with. I am so thankful for this opportunity the Lord gave to him and our family. Although the hours are not at all my favorite, as time goes on I am getting more and more acquainted with the hours myself. For Jakob my sweet little boy, he is still in preschool and loving it. His teacher is very kind and cares a whole bunch about my little boy. Jakob will be turning four soon and beginning VPK. This excites me and makes me a little sad all at the same time. Instead of attending two days per week he will be going 5 days. I am not sure I love this at all and wonder how he will adjust to the extra three days a week. We will see... And finally my precious daughter Aaliyah. Wow this beautiful little girl is growing so fast. She will be two in a couple of weeks and really that just doesn't seem right. She is a doozy and gives her daddy and I a run for our money already. You would think as little as she is she couldn't and wouldn't hurt anyone oh the contrary, she is our little "Al Quieda" (you would have to meet her in order to understand that nickname) it has been such a delight to watch her learn from her "bubby" and love & adore both Jakob and her daddy. I am amazed at her. And already see God working on her little heart. As for me.....Oh my! I am busy. Busy in all the ways I desire to be. My family is perfect. Jesus has given me the best husband, son and daughter for me to share my life with. I learn from each of them in so my ways. As we prepare for our newest addition to the Pride family "Coming in August" it has been so sweet this time around to see Jakob so excited about his new brother. I am getting more and more excited myself to meet this little guy and welcome him into our family. Okay so maybe I covered it all and maybe not as for right this very minute....it's very late and church is just around the bend. Sun